Can color really affect your mood? Paint is an inexpensive and easy way to personalize and update your home. Choosing the right color is more than just selecting the first color that pleases you. Many design experts and psychologists have found that taking the time to choose a color combination that’s pleasing to your eyes and home will affect your overall mood. The color combination you pick can create a soothing and relaxing environment, or a lively and an energetic one. In choosing a color for each room of your home, you need to step back and think about the mood you want to create for that area. Do you want the room to be active, tranquil, or neutral?
Light colors will make a room seem larger, brighter and more airy. Whereas dark colors tend to make a room appear more intimate, sophisticated and warm. Let’s talk about colors and the affects they have on the mood in your home.
Blue, the color of the sky, is said to create a calm, serene, tranquil spa-like atmosphere. Soft blues tend to lower stress and promote a restful sleep. Blue is often used in bedrooms and bathrooms. Make sure to balance the blue with warmer accents. Too much blue can overpower a room and create a stark and cold environment. Try a lighter shade to create a calming effect for you and your family.
Yellow, the color of the sun, is said to promote happiness and create a more welcoming bright environment. Yellow is best used sparingly as not to overwhelm family or guests. Yellow is often used in kitchens, dining rooms and bathrooms.
Green, the color of nature…and money, is considered a restful calming color suitable for any room in the house. Green works to bring the color of nature into your home, as well as create a new and fresh inspirational mood.
Purple, the color relative to royalty, is rich, regal, more formal and dramatic and brings a sense of sophistication to a room. Darker purples stimulate the creative mind and promote a feeling of luxury. Whereas lighter purples, such as lavender, create a restful mood.
Orange, “go hoos”, is not often used as a main color in a home. Orange tends to be used on an accent wall or as an accent color to brighten a home. Orange is said to evoke the mood of excitement, creativity, and energy. The color orange would work well in an exercise room.
Neutrals, the basics, such as white, black, gray and brown, are very flexible. Neutral colors can be used alone with bright accent colors thrown in, or as an accent color to compliment a bright color. Small doses of black can also give rooms a sense of depth.
So when you decide to paint your home, take a step back and think about the purpose of that room and the mood you are trying to create for your family and guests. Do you want a calm and relaxing mood, a creative mood, or an energetic and socializing mood? Choosing a color is very personal and the decision should be made based on you, your family, and your lifestyle needs. Once you make a decision about the mood, pick a color, whether it’s blue, red, green, orange, purple, yellow, or neutral. Your next step is to get your hands on a color wheel (you can go online or visit your local home improvement or paint store) and determine which shade creates the right mood. Finally, go buy your paint and start creating that mood. Initially, you might want to buy a sample portion, go home and paint an area, look at it for a few days and see how it affects your mood. If that color doesn’t work for you, the good thing about paint is that you can easily change it. On the other hand, if the color you chose creates the mood you want, then go ahead have fun and paint away. Now, sit back and enjoy the fresh and new atmosphere you’ve created in your home.
